The Board denied the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a lack of evidence showing that the VA surgical treatment in December 1994 involved carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence did not support a finding of fault on the part of the VA in causing the additional disability through their surgical treatment.
- Claimed conditions
- Left fifth finger disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 22, 2002
- Citation
- 0204860
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0204860.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left fifth finger disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on functional impairment or amputation.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's left fifth finger disability, including an examination to assess its severity and functional impairment. The issue of service connection for a left hand disability is referred back to the AOJ.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability are denied as there is no clear evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The claim for left shoulder disability is granted, while the claim for left fifth finger disability remains pending due to lack of sufficient evidence.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's left fifth finger disability is not rated compensably due to the lack of evidence showing unfavorable ankylosis or amputation.
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